As educators prepare for a new school year, it’s the perfect time to refresh instructional practices, including the use of decodable books in literacy instruction. With their focus on phonics and decoding strategies, decodable books are an invaluable tool for fostering early literacy skills. Here’s how we can approach decodable books in innovative ways to set the stage for a successful and engaging school year.

In the journey of education, each student follows a unique path, progressing at their own pace. However, some students may need additional support to catch up, particularly when it comes to reading. Supplemental reading materials can play a critical role in helping these students bridge gaps in literacy skills. Here are some effective ways to provide the support a student needs, both in the classroom and at home.

Early literacy development is the foundation for lifelong reading success, and decodable books are powerful tools in helping young learners build strong reading skills. For educators and curriculum specialists, integrating decodable books like  Phonics Fun Decodables into early literacy programs offers targeted practice in phonics and decoding strategies, paving the way for confident, fluent readers.

As educational leaders, fostering a love for reading is key to student literacy success. Transitional books, aimed at bridging the gap between early readers and chapter books, play a pivotal role in this process. Designed for readers aged 6 to 9, these books offer simple plots, short chapters, and supportive illustrations to help students develop reading stamina, comprehension, and confidence. By selecting age-appropriate and engaging transitional books, educators can create a lasting impact on students' reading journeys, shaping them into lifelong learners.

School board meetings are typically associated with agendas, reports, and discussions on administrative matters. But what if we introduced a touch of literary magic to set a positive and collaborative tone? In this blog post, we'll explore four compelling reasons to consider starting your school board meetings with a read-aloud—a practice that can infuse creativity, unity, and inspiration into the governance process.

Pacing is the heartbeat of high/low literature, ensuring that stories keep readers hooked from the first page to the last. By balancing high-interest topics with accessible language, high/low books create an engaging reading experience, especially for reluctant readers. A strong pace helps readers of all levels stay captivated, turning stories into irresistible page-turners. The right pacing can also cultivate reading confidence, making books more enjoyable and accessible. Explore how high/low literature transforms the reading journey for struggling readers and opens the door to a lifelong love of reading.

Decodable texts are a powerful tool for building phonics and decoding skills in young readers, but selecting the right texts can feel daunting for curriculum specialists. From aligning texts with your curriculum to ensuring diversity and readability, there are many factors to consider. This guide offers practical tips for choosing and implementing decodable texts, including fostering independent reading, using guided reading groups, and assessing student progress. By integrating these texts effectively, curriculum specialists can support students on their journey to reading success.

Inspiring lifelong readers starts with a well-stocked classroom library, but finding the funding can be challenging. From identifying grants and corporate sponsorships to organizing book drives and crowdfunding campaigns, there are numerous ways to make your dream library a reality. Engage your school, community, and even local businesses in fostering a culture of reading. With these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to creating a literary haven that nurtures students' imaginations and enriches their academic journey.

As a curriculum specialist, you’re constantly seeking the best resources to support literacy instruction. Decodable books are an essential tool that align with phonics skills, offering students targeted practice and fostering reading fluency. Learn how to integrate decodable books into your curriculum to enhance early reading success, while also maintaining a balanced approach with authentic literature. This guide will help you select the right decodables, like Tas and Friends, to complement your existing materials and empower students on their reading journey.

In the field of education, gaining stakeholder support for family engagement initiatives is crucial to fostering student success. Whether it's introducing new literacy resources or enhancing communication between families and schools, understanding stakeholder perspectives and creating a comprehensive plan are key steps in building a collaborative approach. From conducting needs assessments to showcasing success stories, this guide outlines actionable strategies for securing buy-in from teachers, administrators, parents, and the wider school community for family engagement purchases.

Looking for effective ways to teach phonics? This post offers engaging phonics activities that span the entire reading process—before, during, and after reading. From phonemic awareness warm-ups and phonics practice to reading strategies and fluency activities, these ideas from the Phonics Fun Decodables teaching guide will help you create a comprehensive and interactive phonics lesson plan that builds students' decoding and comprehension skills. Plus, explore additional decodable resources to further support your students’ literacy journey.

Step into the vibrant world of graphic novels and discover how this dynamic medium can transform your classroom library. Far beyond entertainment, graphic novels are powerful tools for promoting literacy, enhancing visual comprehension, and sparking a love for reading among students. In this post, we'll guide you through the process of incorporating graphic novels into your curriculum, curating a diverse collection, and using them to foster critical thinking and creativity. Whether you're looking to engage reluctant readers or enrich your existing curriculum, graphic novels offer an exciting avenue for educational exploration.

Spelling instruction is a fundamental component of literacy education, helping students develop essential language skills and reinforce phonics knowledge. While traditional spelling activities often focus on rote memorization and word lists, integrating decodable books into spelling instruction can enhance learning outcomes and provide meaningful context for phonics practice.

Discover the magic of book talks! Our guide explores the art of engaging an audience, from choosing the perfect book to crafting compelling introductions and fostering interactive discussions. Turn your next book talk into a captivating journey that inspires and excites readers.

Decodable text has never been more accessible! Interesting storylines, charming art, and phonics lessons based on the Science of Reading help developing readers grow their skills.

Discover how reading cultivates empathy, emotional intelligence, and self-esteem. Learn how developing reading skills fosters Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and equips students with the tools to navigate their emotional landscape and build positive self-concepts.

Explore the vital roles of fiction and nonfiction in literacy development. Learn how these genres enhance empathy, creativity, critical thinking, and knowledge expansion, creating a balanced and enriched reading experience for students.

Promoting emergent literacy in young children is a collaborative effort involving educators and families. Here are strategies that both educators and parents can use to foster the development of emergent literacy skills in children:

Promoting emergent literacy in young children is a collaborative effort involving educators and families. Here are strategies that both educators and parents can use to foster the development of emergent literacy skills in children:

Decodable books don’t have to be boring! The surge of interest in decodable books and decoding skills have led to a surge of new books on the market designed with both the Science of Reading and the enjoyment of kids in mind.